Elevation: 1,549 feet
Location: Campbell Hill
Visited: November 2021
In terms of highest points in the United States, Campbell Hill is very underwhelming. If you’re looking for a wow factor, oh wow will you be disappointed. There are no sweeping views of the mountains or panoramic overlooks of the surrounding area. The highest point is located on a relatively small hill, which is tucked away behind a community college.
After spending the past ten days in the United States, it was time for us to return back home to Ontario. We planned to drive through Ohio towards Michigan to cross the border in Windsor. Along the way we stopped at Campbell Hill since we still had some time to kill while we waited for our COVID-19 test results. The drive through Ohio was rather uneventful. We passed through the countryside and flat farm fields.
To get to the highest point in Ohio was a bit confusing as it’s not well signed. We knew that it was located in the Ohio High-Point Career Center, so we drove through the gates to the end of road where we found the official summit. It’s marked with a plaque towards the back of the school near the flagpole.
There’s a small parking lot and from there it’s a super short walk to get to the “summit” (if you can even call it that), which contains a small plaque about how Campbell Hill was named and a marker on the ground. And that’s about it.
The most interesting feature is the nearby radar. The highest point is located at the former home of the Bellefontaine Air Force Station, which maintained an early warning radar during the Cold War. The site has since been turned into a school.
We hopped back in the car and from Campbell Hill it’s about a three hour drive to get to the border. In case you were wondering whether we received our COVID test results back in time, we didn’t. We figured we’d go to the border anyway and that worst case scenario was that we’d just have to self-isolate at home. Turns out the worst case scenario was having to either turn around and wait for our negative results or pay $6,200 (each!!) for violating public health restrictions.
We asked what the fastest way was to get back to the United States. We then had to clear US customs. Thankfully they did not require proof of a negative COVID test to enter, otherwise we would have been stuck between the two borders.
We booked last minute accommodations in Ann Arbor. By the next morning we still hadn’t received our test results back, so we figured we might as well fork out the money to pay for a rapid PCR test. But of course we couldn’t book an appointment as everything nearby was full. After calling a few pharmacies, we found one that would take us, but they warned that we’d have to wait for it. And they weren’t kidding. But once we were swabbed, we had our test results back in under 30 minutes. With a clean bill of health, or rather a negative COVID test, we drove back to Ontario.
Despite having to extend our trip by another day, we had a wonderful time. We also felt fortunate that we were able to leave (and come back to) Canada when we did as about a week later news of the Omicron variant started to hit the headlines.
L
Better than the highest point in FL at 345 feet.
That’s true!! And hey, sometimes you have to visit the boring places to make you appreciate the amazing ones.
1500 feet, haha! My home is 2800 feet above sea level.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that found Ohio’s highest point laughable. It just goes to show how the terrain can differ so drastically across each state.
Wow…What a fantastic place and beautiful photos!
Thanks for your kind words and for commenting. Even though the views from the highest point in Ohio weren’t fantastic, we still enjoyed the scenery and quiet drive through the countryside.
Not every place can be a “wow”… but every place can be interesting!
That’s very true! The views from Campbell Hill weren’t the greatest, but it certainly makes for a funny story! It also makes me appreciate some of the views from the other highest points even more so.
This brought back memories of waiting for those damn test results, not knowing what to do if we don’t get them in time. Glad it was sorted out with relatively minimal consequences! In my mind, I could see you driving back and forth between the two the borders forever…this would have made an interesting groundhog say style movie lol.
Waiting is always the worst part. I’m glad it all worked out in the end, even if we had to stay an extra day and spend most of it waiting to get another COVID test. And hey, it could have been worse, we could have tested positive and had to stay for even longer! I’m sure that would also make for an interesting groundhog style experience too!
What absolutely kills me is how big a deal they make of it! 🙂 I sometimes think we Canadians can learn a bit from our southern neighbours. If they do anything (no matter how minor), it’s celebrated to the nth degree. It would be like Elbow, Saskatchewan making a huge monument to their highest point at 1 m higher than anywhere else.
When you wrote about waiting for test results, I was like, Oh right! That was a thing. It’s amazing how quickly one can forget.
The highest point in Ohio was pretty ridiculous, but it gave us a good reason to see more of the state. Agreed, there are some lessons Canada can learn from the US in terms of celebrating certain features and attractions. But on the other hand, there are some drawbacks to that approach as well, such as more tourists.
I’m glad it all worked out in the end in terms of returning back to Canada, even if we did have to stay an extra day. It sure beats paying the hefty fine!
Well the highest point must be important to the folks of Ohio I suppose and you ticked it off your list! As for the COVID tests there are almost always snags. Just before Christmas we were in Poland and needed to upload the tests to our phone app after taking them before returning home. It stated that we would receive the results within an hour with the ‘fit to fly’ certificate but nothing came back for mine. We tried calling the company but it was a weekend evening and the call centre was closed as was their online chat- line. All this time my negative test result line was deteriorating. Finally, my son decided to try uploading my test onto his phone as his had worked properly and thankfully this worked for mine too. It was bizarre though as I had just upgraded to the latest Android model and his phone was of an older generation! You would think they would check that the app worked on all platforms before rolling it out, wouldn’t you as I would have been in a mess if I was travelling alone.
As much as I complained about the lack of views from the highest point in Ohio, it was still a lovely drive through the state. If anything it makes for a funny story afterwards. Besides, it’s not like we were in a huge rush anyway because we were still waiting for our COVID results.
Glad to hear that everything worked out for your flight back home from Poland. Thank goodness the results uploaded on your son’s phone, especially considering the call centre was closed! And agreed, you’d think they would have tested out the software on different platforms considering the importance of it. That must have been incredibly stressful!! I’m glad some restrictions have been easing when it comes to international travel. Now it’s just dealing with waiting and delays at the airport!
Your COVID-19 test story reminds me of my Dad’s and he had it a month before you did!
Sorry to hear that your Dad had a bad experience waiting for his COVID results too. We actually got the results back from our first COVID test after the 72 hour window. I’m glad we were able to get a rapid PCR test the next day, even if we had to wait all day for it. Thank goodness we were driving and didn’t have to worry about rescheduling a flight or anything. It could have been so much worse.
It definitely could have been worse. Dad had to resort to getting the pre-flight tests at the international terminals at both SFO and YYC because no one around was available for a test at such short notice. I wish they had a priority system for people who had to fly out in an emergency vs vacation. Dad complained about the cost at SFO, but fortunately the cost at YYC was better
Yikes. Talk about a stressful experience. It sounds like it all worked out in the end for your dad, despite having to pay for an expensive COVID test. I’m glad some of the rules around testing are being relaxed.
I’m glad of that too. I do wish testing had been better organized
For sure. There is so much that could have been better organized, even now. I’ve heard the airports in Canada these days are awful in terms of the waiting and delays.
I believe it!
We have a few upcoming flights this year which I’m getting a bit nervous about. At least I’ve been warned so I can expect it to be a lengthy process and a lot of waiting. Flying is usually the least enjoyable part of a trip anyway.
I do feel like the views are the best part. But yeah, good luck with that!
That’s true. And thanks. I’ll probably need it!! I’ll make sure to take plenty of snacks just in case.
Good idea, unless border patrol stresses you out to the point you can’t eat. It sure happens with me
I wish I had that issue. Once I start stress snacking, it’s game over.
Fair enough. We all have our own stress reaction related to eating
The highest point of Ohio might be underwhelming, it still makes out for a good story!
That it does! And hey, sometimes you have to visit some of these lame points of interest to make you appreciate the good ones.
I am glad you didn’t get stuck between the two borders. Over the last two years, I’ve heard some pretty crazy stories when it came to requiring proof of a negative COVID test to enter and most of them put me off travelling. Luckily now, thanks to my Digital COVID Certificate, I can travel freely around Europe without needing to test. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
No kidding, otherwise I’m sure we would have had to pay some fine. Then again, we probably wouldn’t have attempted to cross the border if both countries required proof of a negative COVID test. I’m so glad that many countries, including Canada, have started to relax a lot of their restrictions, especially for people who are vaccinated. It’s made travel a lot easier. The only issue now is dealing with the huge lineups at the airport! Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Linda
Yeah that looks a pretty underwhelming high point. Good that you got the COVID thing sorted in the end , though some of this stuff is ridiculous, as you found – where the systems don’t keep up with the rules and then you’re stuck through no fault of your own.
The high point in Ohio sure gave us a good laugh though! Staying an extra day and paying for an expensive rapid PCR test wasn’t too bad. At least we didn’t test positive and have to quarantine in the US for two weeks. That would have been painful!
So was the highest point put there as sort of an inside joke? 😆 The top of my couch looks steeper than that hill.
The border scare sounded pretty intense. I’m glad you got to go back to the States cuz what would’ve happened if you got stuck in between? I can’t even imagine that $12K fine! Yikes.
But you got an extra day at Ann Arbour! 😊 And thankfully back to Ontario in no time.
Enjoy your long weekend ahead!
To say the highest point in Ohio was underwhelming would be an understatement. It really was nothing special, but we had a good laugh afterwards. It wasn’t ideal that we had to turn around at the border and waste a day waiting to get a COVID test, but it could have been worse. At least we didn’t test positive or have to pay the ridiculously expensive fine. As if.
I’m so glad we have a long weekend, even if the weather is a bit dreary. It’s actually the perfect weather to do some gardening. Hope you’re enjoying your time off as well.
It is so interesting how much the landscape differs in the Unites States, depending on where you visit!
No kidding. The other highest points we visited during our road trip were up in the mountains with sweeping vistas. The highest point in Ohio on the other hand was on a relatively small hill in the flat countryside. The views weren’t exactly stellar. But it made for a good story afterwards.
Linda I hope you are ok. Take care a lot, you and yours keep well.+Thank you for your kindness and support always. Have a relaxing day!
Elvira
It was a bit stressful trying to cross the border, but I’m glad it all worked out in the end, even if we did have to extend our stay by an extra day. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Linda
Yes, your timing was good given that Omicron really got going right afterward. Nice that you got a break!
I know, otherwise I doubt we would have gone. I’m glad it all worked out, even if we did have some issues coming back into Canada.
I love how every state and tiny place in the U.S.A. has their claim to fame, no matter how small. Highest Point, Center of the state, center of the contiguous USA. Pride of place, no matter how trivial is worth preserving. Thanks for sharing Linda. ALlan
Oh yes, our friends south of the border do love to make a big deal about every possible point of interest. It’s great for us tourists, but it can be a bit misleading at times. Either way, we had a good chuckle at the highest point in Ohio. Thanks for reading. Hope you’re enjoying the Victoria Day long weekend. Linda
Oh, the delights of travelling during the global pandemic! When (if at all) did you get your original Covid-19 test results? What a fine, I’m glad you didn’t have to pay that. A week later, when Omicron hit the news we were in the midst of preparing for our UK flights and it was seriously stressful. Luckily, all our Covid test results came back on time in addition to thankfully being negative. An interesting bit of Cold War history in Ohio if nothing else. I’ve enjoyed following your US adventures.
Thanks for your kind words. We ended up getting our initial results back four days later. We wouldn’t have been able to cross the border if we had waited for them as at that time Canada required a negative COVID test within 72 hours of returning. I’m glad it worked out, even it meant staying an extra day and waiting for another COVID test. But hey, it sure beats paying that outrageous fine! Traveling during the Omicron sounds like would have been stressful, but happy to hear it all worked out on your end as well.
Oh, I that kind of stuff. The highest, the lowest, most easterly westerly northerly southerly this is the spot were….. I’d like to see this.
Same. Some of these places might be a bit of a tourist trap, but it’s still fun to visit. While the views weren’t very impressive, we got a good laugh. It also makes for a funny story afterwards!
Yes, for a story teller-that is what is important
For sure. Besides, visiting some of these lame spots makes us appreciate the good ones even more.
That is too funny especially since their world beneath (in the caves) seems quite impressive. 😂 Did you have any time to explore Ann Arbor?
I know, who would have thought that being underground in a cave would be more scenic than what’s above ground! We unfortunately didn’t have time to explore Ann Arbor. We pretty much spent the entire day waiting to get our COVID tests. And once we got our results back, we drove straight to the border.
Though it was underwhelming, you still found some interesting things. What a great overall trip!
You bet. We had a good laugh while we were on the “summit”. It’s all part of the adventure.
Wow fantastic place so beautiful ! Well shared with awesome photos and well described.Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words and for commenting. While the views from the highest point in Ohio were a bit of a let down, we sure had a good laugh about it.
Haha, what an interesting “highest point” 😁 … Ohio must be a very flat state. Glad you made it back safe and sound in Canada (although, encountering a few obstacles – that is quite a hefty fine)!
This highest point was easily the lowest point of our day in Ohio! It sure gave us a good laugh though. And yes, I’m glad we were able to safely return to Canada. We were perfectly fine to turn around and stay an extra day to get another COVID test rather than pay the outrageous fine!
Amazing adventure my Friend. I miss Nature. Been sick since Monday. And now Wife and Son. COVID finally got us. Son was making a joke, “Family that travel and eats together get COVID together.”
While the views from the highest point in Ohio weren’t the greatest, it sure was a memorable adventure. Sorry to hear that you and your family got COVID. Hopefully your symptoms aren’t too severe. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
So glad you were in the U.S. for a while, and I hope your impressions were positive. We hope to get to Canada before too long. We’re thinking a train trip could be a possibility.
As much as we’ve enjoyed exploring more of our home province of Ontario during the pandemic, it was so nice to get a change of scenery. We had a wonderful time on our road trip to the US. It would have been nice to stay a bit longer though, but the timing actually worked out for the best as a couple weeks after we returned, more restrictions were put in place to deal with the Omicron variant. Hopefully you’re able to make it to Canada. The scenery is just spectacular from the east to west coast. A train trip sounds like it would be fun and a great way to enjoy the views.
We’ve also heard that Quebec City is fabulous — and I’d love to stay in a pretty hotel and walk the streets and take it all in. Someday.
Quebec City is very charming and it has a very European feel to it with its cobblestoned streets, historic buildings and small shops. It’s particularly pretty in the winter with all the holiday decorations and twinkling lights.
It’s getting higher on my list!
Woohoo! You will not be disappointed. It’s such a unique city in Canada that it’s very enchanting.
At least you did not suffer from vertigo, but it was fun to get there! Thanks for sharing.
Ha! Your comment gave me a good chuckle. While the view from the highest point in Ohio wasn’t all that special, at least it was a memorable experience!
I’m glad you guys made it back safely and did not catch the virus. It’s so important for everyone to still live their lives, and not live in fear, even though it can be hard these days. I’m so glad you got to travel and were safe .
Thanks!! I couldn’t even imagine what we would have done if our test results came back and we tested positive for COVID. We would have had to quarantine in our hotel for two weeks. Sounds boring and expensive. I’m so glad that many of the restrictions around COVID and travelling are being relaxed.
Me too!! I miss traveling and having adventures !!! They’re needed, especially when we work a lot haha 😅
For sure. I like to think I’m actually more productive at work when I come back from holidays. All the more reason to enjoy our vacation days!!
Me too! I feel that way too. It’s just getting the rest you need to recharge and doing things you haven’t gotten to do in a while. It really helps to rejuvenate for sure 😃😊